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SLAM! Sports SLAM! Skating SLAM! Stojko COLUMNS REVIEW INTERACTIVE ALSO ON SLAM! |
Tuesday, 2 June, 1998Elvis jumps to Ohs' aid
Stojko, still recovering from a pulled groin and torn lower abdomen muscle suffered before the Nagano Olympics, spent much of last week providing on-ice tutoring for fellow national team skater Keyla Ohs. "She expressed an interest in working with him before (and) Elvis offered that if she was ever in Toronto, he'd help her out -- not so much as a coach, but as a friend," Stojko's manager/legal adviser Ed Futerman said. Ohs, who captured a silver medal at the 1998 national championships in the senior women's event, was in town last week attending the annual Canadian Figure Skating Association seminar for top skaters, coaches and officials. Ohs, a native of North Vancouver, was looking for some ice time in the Toronto area and, much to her delight, ended up working alongside the three-time world men's singles champion. "I'm not sure specifically what they worked on, but I'm sure he helped her," Ohs' coach Linda Brauckmann said. "He's such a tremendous jumper and so great technically." The calibre of women's skating in Canada is low, although Ohs, 19, is considered one of the bright lights in the event. Stojko's generosity extended beyond any technical advice. His family has taken Ohs and her mother into their Richmond Hill home while the promising skater works with Toronto choreographer Sandra Bezic. "It's no big deal," Stojko's mom Irene said. "Elvis left town this week (on vacation) so I told them they can stay in his room until he comes back." |